Service Tax Update-Definition of Aggregator Notified Under Service Tax

There was lot of confusion surrounding the topic of aggregator in Service Tax. Therefore aggregator definition has been notified

Aggregator means a person, who owns and manages a web based software application, and by means of the application and a communication device, enables a potential customer to connect with persons providing service of a particular kind under the brand name or trade name of the aggregator;

Provided that aggregator shall not include such person who enables a potential customer to connect with persons providing services by way of renting of hotels, inns, guest houses, clubs, campsites or other commercial places meant for residential or lodging purposes subject to following conditions, namely:-

(a) the person providing services by way of renting of hotels, inns, guest houses, clubs, campsites or other commercial places meant for residential or lodging purposes has a service tax registration under provision of these rules; and

(b) whole of the consideration for services provided by such service provider is received directly by such service provider and no amount, which forms part of the consideration of services of such service provider, is received by the aggregator directly from either recipient of the service or his representative.